The Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU), through the support of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), recently inaugurated the hot and cold kitchen facility for the hospitality and tourism management students of the University to ensure industry-ready graduates for Philippine tourism.

Funded through the CHED-Institutional Development and Innovation Grant (IDIG), the College of Hospitality Management and Tourism (CHMT) of LSPU now houses sets of kitchen equipment worth PhP 25M for an estimated 1,400 students taking the programs Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management (BSTM) and Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management (BSHM).

The inauguration of the project entitled “Upgrading the College Kitchen Facilities for Hospitality and Tourism Students” was led by CHED Secretary Prospero De Vera, LSPU President Mario R. Briones, and Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Director Marites Castro at the LSPU-Sta. Cruz Campus (LSPU-SCC), Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

Castro said that this is a welcome development to have a good facility for the practicum of hospitality and tourism students.

Citing that tourism is one of the contributors in job generation, the provision of such equipment will help the students level up and upgrade their talent as part of the tourism workforce.

“Kung ready po ang tourism industry, dapat po ready ‘yung ating workforce,” Castro said.

In his message, Briones emphasized the value that this facility will provide the students. He also expressed the commitment of the University to deliver quality tertiary education to its stakeholders.

“This new grant provides an area where future professionals and leaders of the hospitality and tourism industry will hone their skills and talents,” he said. “We commit to improving the learning experiences of our students to prepare them in their respective fields of expertise.”

Some of the kitchen equipment that the hospitality and tourism students will be able to use for their laboratory include industry-standard three-door glass chillers, planetary mixer, automatic coffee machine, culinary blender, food display refrigerator, charcoal tandoor oven, and electric convection oven, among others.

LSPU CHMT Dean Charmine Rivera tearfully narrated the importance of these state of the art equipment when she said, “Nakakaiyak. ‘Nung teacher pa ako nakikita ko ang mga estudyanteng nagdadala ng sarili nilang kalan at plato. Ako mismo ay natatakot buks ang gas range kasi baka sumabog. Pangarap lang noon, ginagamit na namin ngayon”.

The equipment was funded through the CHED Higher Education Development Fund (HEDF) which is sourced from travel tax collections, PCSO contributions, and PRC contributions.

“We are using the HEDF money to prioritize tourism related projects as required under the Tourism Act of 2009 and in compliance with the instructions of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure industry-ready graduates particularly in key sectors such as tourism. CHED has funded close to ten (10) other similar facilities in state universities and colleges. It will fund another fifteen (15) hot and cold kitchens in public and private universities this year,” De Vera said.

(SIGNED)
J. PROSPERO E. DE VERA III, DPA
Chairman
Commission on Higher Education
Philippines